LANDS PROGRAM EVALUATION 2007- 2009
Intern Skill Improvement Interns self-rate their proficiency in four natural
resource skills categories at the start and end of their internship. Categories include: a) natural resource
skills, b) organizational knowledge, c) land conservation policies and tools,
and d) professional skills. Their
proficiency with natural resource skills and knowledge improves over the
course of their internship with LANDS.
Because the number of LANDS applicants has increased every year (from 18
in 2007 to 65 in 2009), the incoming skill level of interns accepted to the
program increases each year as well.
Intern Feedback
“I think the program's biggest strength … is the great
diversity of project partners we meet throughout the summer. It gives an
excellently broad look at the field of conservation.” ~ 2009 Intern
“I'm sure summer jobs exist that are more relaxed, better
paid, and require less from participants. I bet none of them are as rewarding
and well-rounded as this one.” ~ 2009 Intern
“Overall I think this is a fantastic program that gives
students in the environmental field stellar experience and food for thought for
their futures. We have done so much work, and had so much to think about at
times it was overwhelming. However, this has made the LANDS experience all the
more richer.” ~ 2008 Intern
“The most
challenging part of the LANDS experience was at the beginning when I felt that
I did not have the knowledge of the other interns. I soon came up to speed and
now feel more comfortable with working as a group member and offering my
opinion to my peers.” ~ 2008 Intern
“James and
Emily were highly qualified, always prepared and very supportive. They
created a program that is
educational, purposeful and professional. They kept us busy with work, but gave
us enough time to complete the tasks.” ~ 2008 Intern
“The most
challenging part was making the most out of office time and compiling all of
our parts into a cohesive document. It was one of the hardest things, but also the
most satisfying when we all worked together.” ~ 2008 Intern
“My overall
experience in the programs has been great. I feel as though I have grown both
professionally and personally. I think that I have made connections and met
people that will serve me well in the future. I also think that the very broad
scope of the program has actually allowed me to focus on my interests. I think
that everyone in the program will find that having this experience is invaluable
to their career goals.” ~ 2008 Intern
“The whole service learning model with
advanced skills is terrific. Leaning to
understand how the cultural and natural histories of a place impact each other
in such a “hands on” and useful way is nothing short of amazing. Thank you.” ~ 2008 Intern
"The LANDS summer was really a turning point in my
college career. I was out in the Field and
developing a strong connection and interest to the environment I was studying
in school and in the lab.... I believe that LANDS really showed me how to look
at landscapes and the environment to address certain questions. I also believe that I learned important communication
skills and how to work as a team. [It was] a huge influence on my growth that
summer, especially in the Field." ~ 2007 intern
“Training was great as a whole… I could’ve used more GIS
learning time.” ~ 2007 Intern
“This experience has certainly enhanced my understanding of
conserved lands and the multi-dimensional field that it is. I am more interested in pursuing potential
jobs in the field.” ~ 2007 Intern
PARTNER SATISFACTION WITH LANDS
Evaluation of LANDS Products and Services
Averages of responses from 22 respondents by year | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
| Quality of Final Products Produced by LANDS
Interns | 3.7 | 3.1 | 3.8 |
| Usefulness of Final Products to your organization | 3.8 | 3.4 | 3.7 |
| Professionalism of LANDS Interns | 3.7 | 3.6 | 3.8 |
| Professionalism of LANDS Program Coordinators | 3.8 | 3.8 | 4.0 |
| Communication between LANDS and your
organization | 3.7 | 3.3 | 3.5 |
| Interest in being a partner with the LANDS
Program again | 4.0 | 3.9 | 4.0 |
| Likelihood of recommending LANDS to other
organizations | 4.0 | 3.9 | 3.8 |
1= Poor/Weak
2= Adequate/Moderate
3= Good /Strong
4= Excellent /Very Strong
Staff Hours and Expenses offset by LANDS
Sum of responses from 22 respondents total | 2007-2009 |
| Estimated Staff Hours offset by LANDS interns | 2,514 |
| Estimated cost for organization to complete
without LANDS | $55,842* |
*plus 4 respondents said "priceless" or
"the cost of purchasing GPS equipment and training volunteers." Partner Feedback “The LANDS interns provided us with an opportunity to forge
a greater relationship with UVM, to provide an educational opportunity, and to
have community members see the passion that these students brought to their
work. All of this makes for a very different dynamic than had a consultant done
the work.” ~ City of South Burlington, 2009
“The LANDS interns were very professional, did
their research, created a quality product, and did a good job presenting this and other
project summaries to the group of project partners.” ~ Charlotte
Conservation Commission, 2009
“The
deliverables were excellent – very professionally done and the information was
exactly what we had planned to have the UVM crew obtain…
The inventory work conducted by the LANDS crew will provide the GMNF
staff with critical information for project planning in the Dorset Peru
IRP. The Forest Service did not have enough time, staff and money to conduct these
inventories at the level that the LANDS crew conducted and documented the
information… You all did a
GREAT job – this is a wonderful program and I hope we can continue to work
together. I also hope the program
expands to other areas in the country.”
~ Green Mountain National Forest, 2009
“The
[interns] were exceedingly
professional and efficient. I really was
impressed by their approach. Also
enthusiastic, which is
always nice!” ~ Lake Champlain Land Trust, 2009
“I am
delighted to see a program like LANDS take off. The more young professionals
have exposure to real world organizations and issues, with real projects, the
better prepared they are going to be to know what it is they want to do, and be
of use when they get a
‘real’ job. I would like to see programs like LANDS throughout the country.” ~ The Nature Conservancy, 2009
“The LANDS
group delivered exactly what we wanted.
They completed a great deal of work that was of very high quality and
they really cared about the project.”
~ USFS Northeastern Research Station, 2009
“LANDS
Students helped collect landscape, soils and vegetation data in an area
where forest management
activities are planned in the future.
The students were quick and eager to learn, try new things, and utilize
their existing skills. They also
maintained a good work attitude despite the rainy weather.” ~ Green Mountain National Forest, 2008
“The interns
acted in a very professional manner. They were interested in completing both
the task at hand and understanding the larger goals of the project.” ~
Richmond Land Trust, 2008
“The interns
showed a high degree of professionalism, the enthusiasm was infective,
communications were professional and timely.” ~ Jericho Underhill Land
Trust, 2007
“The quality,
content, and breadth of the final products exceeded our expectations. Not only did the Shelburne Natural Resources
and Conservation Committee (SNRCC) receive the natural communities, trails, and
invasive plants maps that we had originally discussed with the LANDS
coordinators, but we also received extensive and well-written descriptions of
these features with accompanying photographs.
The final report also provided thoughtful and practical recommendations
for protecting sensitive features and mitigating the adverse effects of
invasive plants and trail erosion in the LaPlatte riparian corridor.” ~ Shelburne Natural Resources and
Conservation Committee, 2007
“I was
particularly impressed by the level of professionalism they exhibited during
the final presentation at UVM. The
presentation was polished and well put-together. I left that evening feeling very excited
about the great potential of the LANDS program, and how useful it would be to
have a stewardship training program available all across the country.” ~
The Nature Conservancy, 2007
